Archives

Education Programming
2023

Overview
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation has awarded Museo de las Americas a $23,000 grant in support of the Summer Arts + Culture Camp and Los Jovenes Leadership Lab.

Details
The La Alma neighborhood where Museo de las Americas is located lacks free or low-cost arts education resources for youth. Museo de las Americas addresses that disparity through its Summer Arts + Culture Camp, where youth ages 4-11 explore the art and culture of a different Latin American country each year, and Los Jovenes Leadership Lab, a free, out-of-school time program for youth ages 12-14.

Learn more about Museo de las Americas.

Bridging the Gap
2023

Overview
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation has awarded Mile High United Way a $95,000 grant to provide direct client assistance for young adults transitioning out of the child welfare system.

Details
Bridging the Gap serves young adults, age 18-24, who have transitioned out of the children welfare system and are experiencing homelessness. Support will provide for household basics, new clothes, employment-related items, book and education supplies, diapers, and transportation costs.

Learn more about Mile High United Way.

Aspire Higher Program
2023

Overview
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation has awarded Evans Scholars Foundation a $50,000 grant to sustain and expand a summer caddying program for high school students.

Details
The Evans Scholarship is a full tuition and housing college scholarship for high-achieving caddies with limited financial means. After successfully completing the Aspire Higher Program for three years, the caddies are eligible to apply for an Evans Scholarship.

Learn more about Evans Scholars Foundation.

High School Partnership Program
2023

Overview
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation has awarded Anderson Ranch Arts Center $44,000 to provide approximately 20 at-risk youth with a one-week art immersion workshop.

Details
Anderson Ranch will empower high school students from disadvantaged and underserved populations in the Aspen-Parachute Corridor with a one-week art immersion workshop in a variety of disciplines. Funds from the Foundation will support tuition, studio fees, room and board, and transportation.

Learn more about Anderson Ranch Arts Center.

2023 Mobile Pantry Program
2023

Overview
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation has awarded Forgotten Harvest a $240,000 grant to increase access for food-insecure children and families in southeast Michigan.

Details
The rapidly rising costs of housing, food, and gas have increased food insecurity for southeast Michigan families, resulting in an increase in the number of individuals seeking food at Forgotten Harvest’s mobile pantry sites. Support from the Foundation will be directed to programmatic costs for the Mobile Pantry Program.

Learn more about Forgotten Harvest.

Expanded Programs for Families and Children at the Superior Township Branch
2022

Overview
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation has awarded Ypsilanti District Library a $18,000 grant to expand existing and develop new youth and family programming.

Details
With no other public buildings nearby, Ypsilanti District Library’s new library in Superior Township will have room to provide education, social services, health programs, early literacy, and arts and cultural activities for youth and families.

Learn more about Ypsilanti District Library.

College Support Fund and One-on-One Mentoring for Southeast Michigan High School and College Students
2022

Overview
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation has awarded Winning Futures a $100,000 grant to support one-on-one mentoring opportunities for high school students and to provide financial assistance for students in college and/or trade school.

Details
Winning Futures’ One-on-One Mentoring Program empowers high school students to prepare for postsecondary education and the College Support Fund provides direct aid to students once in college and/or trade school.

Learn more about Winning Futures.

YouthBuild Learning Academy
2022

Overview
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation has awarded SER Metro, Jobs for Progress an $86,000 grant, over two years, to support young people ages 18-24 to obtain credentials that increase employability.

Details
SER YouthBuild Learning Academy provides young people who are neither enrolled in school or participating in the workforce with an alternative educational pathway. Following the established Department of Labor YouthBuild model, young people can complete their high school degree, get hands-on construction training, and gain credentials for the construction trades.

Learn more about SER Metro, Jobs for Progress.

Providing UIA Assistance to Vulnerable Community Members
2022

Overview
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation has awarded the Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice a $57,500 grant to support Southeast Michigan residents’ access to unemployment benefits.

Details
The Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice will provide assistance to Southeast Michigan residents accessing unemployment benefits. Additionally, it will host educational workshops, as well as train and supervise law students and pro-bono volunteers to ensure expanded access.

Learn more about Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice.